A few years ago on a new warehouse construction, exhaust fans were installed on the roof. Along with the Exhaust Fans, water proof Outlets were required. This requirement I believe came from the MEP who provided the drawings. I seem to remember when I ask about these outlets, that these were a requirement from NEC. In what section would this be addressed?
Outlets on roof of Industrial Building
- Thread starter dasarmin
- Start date
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- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I don't believe the NEC requires receptacles for a fan but they are required for a/c units. If they are on the roof then gfci is required per 210.8(B)
Art. 210.63 requires a receptacle for heating a/c and refrigeration. If the fan is considered a cooling system them it could be req. by this article
Art. 210.63 requires a receptacle for heating a/c and refrigeration. If the fan is considered a cooling system them it could be req. by this article
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I agree, it is very common for a unit containing refrigerant to need a receptacle to run a portable pump for most any service work involving removing or replacing refrigerant. A unit that is just a fan will not have as much need for such accessory devices during servicing.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
anyone trying to work on these things in the future will appreciate having power up there. I don't think it is code required but it is certainly something that is useful.
I have occasionally wondered why the code does not require outlets on roofs where there is electrical equipment that will need servicing.
I have occasionally wondered why the code does not require outlets on roofs where there is electrical equipment that will need servicing.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I agree it would be a good idea and probably should be required. I bet on most plans there will be a receptacle called for if there is equipment up there. With all the portable equipment (battery powered) the demand is not as great.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
You are much more likely to need power to service a refrigerant compressor unit than a blower only unit. I believe the NEC recognizes the fact that refrigerant recovery units and vacuum pumps are very common to that trade and if there is a unit installed with refrigerant, a receptacle for those purposes will be used at some point on virtually all installations.
Even if there is no electric powered equipment on a roof doesn't mean someone will not use power on the roof at some time, do you think there should be at least one receptacle on every roof?
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
I think the typical single family residence would not benefit enough to make it worth mandating.
For installations that have equipment that might need servicing located on a roof, it will be very handy eventually.
If you have to go out on a roof at night and work by flashlight, you will greatly appreciate an outlet to plug in a work light.
I am not sure why the need to power a small compressor that could be powered from an extension cord requires an outlet. It is just a convenience, and not an electrical safety issue.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Actually another requirement kicks in for AC equipment that likely puts a receptacle on the roof in a lot of cases anyway - the receptacle that is needed within 25 feet of the equipment.
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